Deciduous Shrub – Cluster Spike Indigo Bush

Cluster Spike Indigo Bush 

Botanical name: amorpha fruticosa 

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: 4-12 ft in height with a 6-15 ft spread 

Hardy zone: zones 4-9 

Growth rate: grows 1-3 ft per year 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: purple/orange/yellow 

Bloom time:  spring, summer 

Pruning instructions: prune during dormancy in the late winter/early spring to maintain desired shape and size 

Propagation methods: propagate by seed sowing

Landscape use: pollinator garden, background planting, erosion control 

Special features: attracts pollinators, fragrant blooms, flood tolerant

Light needs: 6 hours of sun per day

Watering instructions: allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: spring 

Best type of soil:  loam

Companion plants: butterfly weed, coneflower, little bluestem grass 

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: potentially invasive